Enda Kenny and Joan Burton tonight hashed out a plan for the next Cabinet as a new look front bench is expected to be revealed on Wednesday.

The new Tanaiste is battling Mr Kenny and wants more Labour faces in senior roles as the Government looks to claw back some voters.

There has been speculation that many senior Fine Gael minister will lose their portfolios.

Health Minister James Reilly is up for the chop as well as Jobs boss Richard Bruton.

There could be as many as six demotions in today’s expected shake-up.

Mr Kenny and the Tanaiste were locked in talks for the past two days as they shake up the Cabinet in a bid to strengthen the coalition.

Those tipped for promotion include Paschal Donohoe and Government chief whip Paul Kehoe.

Current Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is likely to move from his post to Environment.

This would free up Phil Hogan, who introduced the hated property tax, to move to another portfolio.

But he expected to take the EU Commissioner role.

There could also be a new make-up of particular departments, an idea which was still being thrashed out last night.

It will be a new look Labour frontbench after the departures of Ruairi Quinn and Eamon Gilmoe.

And Pat Rabbitte, who holds the Communications post, looks most likely to be thrown into the backbenches.

But it will be the junior coalition partner who are most likely to benefit from the shake-up.

New Labour Party deputy leader, Alan Kelly, is expected to get a senior role after today’s announcement.

Current Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin yesterday said Mr Kenny and the new Tanaiste had been engaged in serious talks.

He said how they were discussing a “a new priority platform” as well as “the social side”.

It is understood that these talks addressed how to build the broken economy as well as addressing issues like travel and welfare payments.

Mr Howlin said all Cabinet members should be “very proud of their hard work”.

And before today’s announcement, Ms Burton vowed she would keep the free travel scheme for OAPs.

She said: “I want to say loud and clear here tonight: this Government has protected the Free Travel Scheme for beneficiaries in all of its Budgets to date, and will continue to protect the scheme. The Free Travel pass is safe.”